Inspection light

[Blixern]

My car is a bmw 320i 1986, with 90k mileage. About 3 weeks ago, a light on my dashboard(under the "check" light) started lighting up, it has a little clock and says "inspection". What's up with that?

Also I was wondering if anybody knows what the lights under the inspection light is, a line of green lights, and then some yellow ones, that light up as i start up the car?

Last but not least, my car is drinking a lot of oil, but there is no leak. I've been using a cheap oil, can this be the problem?

Would appreciate an answer

[Antiburn]

The light comming on indicates that you need to take your car into a dealer to get it checked out. Im not sure exacatly what light your talking about but it could just be your gas cap wasnt tightened down all the way or you have something wrong.

The inspection lights (green yellow red) indicate when your car is due for an "tune up" also know as an Inspection 1 or 2. They range fro 400$ for Inspection 1 to 7-800$ for inspection 2.

Inspection 1's consist of
-oil
-filter
-wiper blades (if you pay for them, if your car is under warrenty they are standard)
-Car is checked over: brakes, tires, seat belts, front and rear lights, ect.
-All your fluids are toped off: washer fluid, power steering, coolant.
-Cabin filter if you pay for it (same as wipers)
-The inspection lights will be reset so they all will be green.


Inspection 2 consists of
-oil
-air filter
-cabin filter
-gas filter
-Top off all fluids
-Full car check over: Lights, brakes, saftey equiptment, engine belts, everything.
-If you need brakes the service writer will call you asking if you want to spend your money to replace them
-The inspection lights will be reset so they all will be green.

[Celsdogg]

also, all the lights indicator lights do is count miles. it does not mean there is really anything wrong with your bimmer, this is just BMWs way of having you bring in your bimmer. . .

burning oil is typical of older cars. over the years the car is worn out, and perhaps its tolerances are not as tight as they one were. check your spark plugs for sign of burning oil.

[beemer5]

the inspection lights do come on with the mileages.. let you know to get you oil changed.. if you don't know anybody you will have to go to the dealer to get them turned off... you only have 90k mileage on you BMW it should maybe use about 1/2qt of oil every 3000 miles... my 89 BMW has 369000 miles and uses 1/2qt every 1500 miles.. and I think that is good...

[Celsdogg]

you can reset the lights yourself using the reset tool from bmpdesign.com or bavauto.com. some of these tools also let you get the error codes from ure OBD computer.

here is an example of one:
http://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exec/product_id/413

the ones that give error codes are a little but more expensive. . .

[Rog]

Originally Posted by Celsdogg

you can reset the lights yourself using the reset tool from bmpdesign.com or bavauto.com. some of these tools also let you get the error codes from ure OBD computer.

here is an example of one:
http://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exec/product_id/413

the ones that give error codes are a little but more expensive. . .

I use a paper clip to reset my inspection, oil change etc lights.

[danielman]

A local Valvoline Instant Oil change was able to reset the oil service minder in my 88 325i --a call to one may be the ticket

[Celsdogg]

Originally Posted by Rog

I use a paper clip to reset my inspection, oil change etc lights.

heh, you just jump two pins to do this right? which pins are they? dont you also have to turn the ignition to accessories?

[dolphinRx]

The Inspct lite has been answered well. There is lot of info online about this. The oil leak is another. As engine accum. mileage the tolerances are less. Blue smoke particularly on acceleration would cause me to look at the valve guides and seals-this is really a cyl. head rebuild situation. But if there is no smoke I might look at the front seal. Interestingly, it will only show when the engine is running and the car standing still. At running speeds it tends to spin off and not show much except excessive use. As opposed to a rear seal which tends to bleed over the car and transmission. This assumes the valve cover is firmly on and clean of leaks. Unfortunately, as a bimmer ages most of its gaskets, seals and o-rings become hard and brittle. I live in Florida and the summer sun is brutal with heat which only adds to a bimmer's enviromental torture. Thanks